There are different PCOS types (you can take a free assessment here), but spearmint tea is specifically proven to reduce PCOS symptoms associated with high androgen and testosterone levels.
Spearmint Tea for PCOS: Benefits, How Much & Best Time to Drink
In This Article
Spearmint Tea and PCOS
Spearmint tea is widely used to manage the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), mainly because of its anti-androgenic properties.
Research has proven that spearmint tea could potentially lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS and subsequently improve PCOS symptoms like hirsutism.
Additionally, studies have also shown that the consumption of spearmint tea in women with PCOS not only decreases the levels of free testosterone in the blood but also increases luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Spearmint tea offers a safe, natural, and effective option that you can try to manage your symptoms better.
Is Spearmint Tea Good for PCOS?
Spearmint has been used as a natural medicinal herb since ancient times to treat minor illnesses such as gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, painful urination, and skin irritations.
In recent times, spearmint has gained popularity among women with PCOS primarily because of its visible efficacy in treating hirsutism or increased growth of male-pattern hair in women of childbearing age.
Spearmint tea does not claim to be a cure-all for PCOS, but it is backed by scientific research to effectively address some of the condition's most common (and bothersome) symptoms.
Consider the following:
- Anti-androgenic and testosterone reduction: An animal model research has shown the positive effect of spearmint tea on PCOS, particularly in lowering levels of testosterone and androgens.
- Improved endocrine profile: In the study above, animals with PCOS also showed improved endocrine health markers after consuming spearmint extract.
- Increase in FSH, LH, and estradiol: Spearmint tea has been proven to affect the levels of female hormones responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle.
What are the Benefits of Spearmint Tea for PCOS?
In addition to the brief points we mentioned above, let’s take a closer look at the specific health benefits of spearmint tea for PCOS:
1. Regulates Androgen Levels
We’ve mentioned that spearmint lowers androgen levels, but let’s discuss why that’s a critical feat among women with PCOS.
According to research, elevated levels of androgenic hormones are common in women with PCOS, and may cause “secondary disorders.”
These include:
- Hirsutism
- Infertility
- Acne
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- Irregular menstruation
On the other hand, Spearmint tea provides an accessible and low-cost alternative to medications—and could possibly be used as part of a PCOS management regimen to tackle the conditions caused by high androgens.
2. Reduces Free Testosterone
High levels of androgens also lead to excess male hormones, including testosterone, circulating freely in the body.
In a study where two groups of women with PCOS were observed, the group drinking spearmint tea twice a day for a month had lower levels of free and total testosterone in the blood compared to the placebo group.
This shows that spearmint tea has a beneficial effect of reducing testosterone in the body and can thus help women with PCOS deal with related symptoms like acne and male pattern baldness, which high testosterone levels may exacerbate.
3. May Help Regulate Menstrual Cycles
Hormonal imbalances may disrupt the menstrual cycle.
If one hormone is abnormally high or low, it could affect other hormones and cause an imbalance.
Spearmint tea’s ability to lower male hormones and raise female hormones responsible for ovulation makes it a powerful aid in regulating menstrual cycles in women with PCOS.
Additionally, a study on animals with PCOS has also revealed the ability of spearmint to decrease ovarian cysts while increasing the number of viable eggs in the ovaries.
While the same has not been replicated in humans, it supports the efficacy of spearmint as a natural remedy to aid in hormone balance.
4. Has Antioxidant Properties That Reduce Inflammation
Women with PCOS often have low-grade chronic inflammation.
Studies have shown that blood tests reveal higher levels of inflammatory markers in women with PCOS than those who do not have the condition.
Inflammation, the body’s natural response to viruses, injuries, and other threats, originates from the immune system.
It’s a protective response to help the body while it heals.
However, in long-term, chronic inflammation cases, the response could cause more harm than good.
This often happens because the body sees its own tissues as a foreign threat and may be exacerbated by obesity, stress, and other lifestyle factors.
In women with PCOS, inflammation levels are measured by looking at biomarkers like C-reactive proteins.
Spearmint tea contains high quality antioxidants that can significantly lower levels of oxidative stress in the body, thereby bringing down chronic inflammation in women with PCOS.
5. Relieves Symptoms of Indigestion, Bloating, and Gas
There’s also a correlation between PCOS and poor gut health.
As such, PCOS sufferers may also experience bloating, nausea, hyperacidity, and other gastrointestinal disturbances.
Spearmint has long been proven to improve gut health.
It contains a compound called carvone, which can inhibit muscle contractions in the gut—effectively helping to relieve digestive upset and soothe discomfort.
6. Acts as a Diuretic and Can Help Reduce Water Retention
Teas are a well-known diuretic that can help you expel excess fluids by urination.
Spearmint, in particular, is used to treat suppressed and painful urination and can be very helpful in reducing water retention.
Additionally, spearmint is rich in vitamins A and C, which have been used to improve eyesight, cure scurvy, and keep your eyes and hair healthy and shiny.
How Much Spearmint Tea Should One Drink for PCOS?
Spearmint tea can be prepared and consumed much like other herbal loose-leaf teas.
Bring water to a boil, steep the tea for 3 to 5 minutes, then take the tea bag or tea leaves out.
For an even more potent brew, cover the cup while steeping so that the constituents don’t evaporate.
Most studies also found that two to three cups of spearmint tea daily is ideal for women with PCOS.
Additionally, spearmint tea may not result in overnight changes but will likely be felt gradually with regular consumption over at least five to six months.
When is the Best Time to Drink Spearmint Tea for PCOS?
Drinking one cup in the day and one before bedtime is ideal.
Also, in terms of one’s menstrual cycle, drinking spearmint tea during the follicular phase has proven effective in decreasing testosterone and increasing hormones responsible for ovulation.
Are There Natural Alternatives to Spearmint Tea?
Spearmint is specifically used to address hirsutism and other PCOS symptoms and cannot be replaced with peppermint or generic mint teas.
However, green tea may be a good supplementary tea if you’re looking for other teas that may also help address PCOS symptoms.
It also has great anti-inflammatory properties and potentially potent anti-androgenic properties.
However, studies show that green tea may be more effective as an extract (in capsule form) for PCOS treatment purposes and not just as a beverage.
Green tea has also shown great potential in improving fasting insulin and free testosterone levels in women with PCOS.
Discover Our Best-Selling Supplements for PCOS
At Nourished Natural Health, we have a wide range of supplements and resources to help you overcome PCOS.
Our best-selling Androgen Blocker Plus is specially designed to help support healthy androgen levels and is the perfect supplement to help you tackle PCOS symptoms caused by imbalanced androgens.
We also have bundles to help you address specific PCOS concerns, like acne, bloating, cycle regulation, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spearmint tea effective for all subtypes of PCOS?
Are there any potential side effects associated with drinking spearmint tea?
Spearmint is considered very safe with reactions unlikely.
However, if you have any concerns about medications you may be taking, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Can drinking too much spearmint tea have negative effects?
Spearmint tea is generally safe in moderate amounts (2 to 3 cups daily).
Still, in very large amounts over a long period, it could cause kidney disorders or increase liver damage.
Is spearmint tea safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women with PCOS?
Very large doses of spearmint tea might damage the uterus during pregnancy, whether or not a woman has PCOS.
It should, therefore, only be taken in moderation, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding.
How do I prepare spearmint tea to retain its maximum benefits?
The best way to drink spearmint tea is to steep it in boiling water in a tea pot or covered cup (to prevent the herbal constituents from evaporating) for 3 to 5 minutes and drink immediately.
However, if you prefer a cold drink, preparing a batch in advance and chilling is fine.
Take the tea leaves or tea bags out after infusing them, as leaving them in may cause the tea to become bitter.
Are there other natural remedies that can be combined with spearmint for enhanced benefits for PCOS?
Yes! Nourished Natural Health has a curated line of supplements specially made to address PCOS symptoms and different subtypes.
Whether you’re looking to improve skin health, regulate your cycle, lose weight, or improve mood and energy levels, our supplements are designed to work together or individually to help you achieve your health goals.
About The Author - Tamika Woods
Tamika Woods, Clinical Nutritionist (B.HS; B.Ed), Bestselling Author
For a decade, Tamika battled chronic acne, irregular cycles, mood swings, hair loss, painful periods, severe digestive issues and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). You name it - she's been there!
Tam was finally able to clear her skin, regulate her cycle, be free of period pain and fall pregnant naturally with her daughter in 2020. It took Tam 10 years and tens of thousands of dollars in tertiary education to get the answers she needed to get better.
She didn’t want other women to suffer as long as she did which is why she has dedicated her life to helping women in the same position as she was.
Tam helps women interpret what their bodies are trying to communicate through frustrating symptoms, and then develop a step-by-step roadmap to find balance again. She's here to help you get on track!
Tamika Woods is the author of the Amazon best seller PCOS Repair Protocol. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree (Nutritional Medicine) as well as a Bachelor of Education, graduating with Honours in both.
She is a certified Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) Educator and a certified member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA).
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About The Author - Tamika Woods
Tamika Woods, Clinical Nutritionist (B.HS; B.Ed), Bestselling Author
For a decade, Tamika battled chronic acne, irregular cycles, mood swings, hair loss, painful periods, severe digestive issues and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). You name it - she's been there!
Tam was finally able to clear her skin, regulate her cycle, be free of period pain and fall pregnant naturally with her daughter in 2020. It took Tam 10 years and tens of thousands of dollars in tertiary education to get the answers she needed to get better.
She didn’t want other women to suffer as long as she did which is why she has dedicated her life to helping women in the same position as she was.
Tam helps women interpret what their bodies are trying to communicate through frustrating symptoms, and then develop a step-by-step roadmap to find balance again. She's here to help you get on track!
Tamika Woods is the author of the Amazon best seller PCOS Repair Protocol. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree (Nutritional Medicine) as well as a Bachelor of Education, graduating with Honours in both.
She is a certified Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) Educator and a certified member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA).